Six men, including five volunteer firefighters, face theft charges after stealing about 80 cases of energy drinks and an inflatable display from a vendor at the Readington Township balloon festival this summer, authorities said.

Police said a representative from Coca-Cola, which owns Monster Energy Drinks, contacted township police to report a theft from the Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. The representative told police about 80 cases of the energy drink and a 40-foot high inflatable display were taken.

A month-long investigation, including several witness interviews by Readington Township police, resulted in the arrests.

The other two firefighters -- Shawn Brownlow, 22, and Casey Brownlow, 21, both from the township’s Whitehouse Station section -- are with the East Whitehouse Fire Co.

Jeffrey Becker, 22, of the Annandale section of Clinton Township, who
is not a firefighter, allegedly took
the 40-foot high inflatable display and was charged with third-degree
theft. Becker was released on his own recognizance, pending a court
hearing.

Becker could not be reached for comment.

“I can’t comment without knowing all the facts,” Readington Fire Chief Bill Kaplan said Friday. “It hasn’t been discussed yet on the floor.”

Bill Kaplan noted he is not related to Jordan Kaplan.

East Whitehouse Fire Co. Chief Henry Lee and Deputy Chief Paul Hooretz could not immediately be reached for comment.

Shawn Brownlow, Casey Brownlow, Jordan Kaplan, Magos and Fogg each were charged with a disorderly persons and theft and released on their own recognizance.

A man who identified himself as the father of the Brownlow brothers, and is himself as a volunteer with the fire department, said his sons had permission to take the drinks. When asked who gave them permission, he said he couldn't say.

“I thought in this country here, you were innocent until proven guilty," he said.